The Happiness Illusion

The Happiness Illusion PDF Author: Luke Hockley
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1317579836
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 224

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Book Description
The West has never been more affluent yet the use of anti-depressants is on the increase to the extent that the World Health Organisation has declared it a major source of concern. How has this state of affairs come about and what can be done? Television and advertising media seem to know. Wherever we look they offer countless remedies for our current situation - unfortunately none of them seem to work. The Happiness Illusion explores how the metaphorical insights of fairy-tales have been literalised and turned into commodities. In so doing, their ability to educate and entertain has largely been lost. Instead advertising and television sell us products that offer to magically transform the way we look, how we age, where we live –both in the city and the countryside, the possibility of new jobs, and so forth. All of these are supposed to make us happy. But despite the allure of ‘retail therapy’ modern magic has lost its spell. What then are the sources of happiness in our contemporary society? Through a series of fairy-tales The Happiness Illusion: How the media sold us a fairytale looks at topics such as age, gender, marriage and rom-coms, Nordic Noir and the representations of therapy on television. In doing so it explores alternative ways to relate to the world in a symbolic and less literal manner – it suggests that happiness comes by making sure we don’t fall under the spell of the illusionary promises of contemporary television and advertising. Instead, happiness comes from being ourselves – warts and all. This book will be of interest to Jungian academics, film, media and cultural studies academics, social psychologists and their students, as well as reaching out to those interested in fairy-tale studies, psychotherapists and educated cinema goers. Luke Hockley PhD, is Research Professor of Media Analysis, at the University of Bedfordshire, UK. He is a practicing psychotherapist and is registered with the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP). Luke is joint Editor in Chief of the International Journal of Jungian Studies (IJJS) and a member of the Advisory Board for the journal Spring and lectures widely. www.lukehockley.com Nadi Fadina is a media entrepreneur and a managing partner in an international film fund. She is involved in a variety of arts and media related projects, both in profit and non-profit spheres. She teaches Film Business in the University of Bedfordshire, however, her academic interests outreach spheres of business and cover ideology, Russian fairytales, sexuality, politics, anthropology, and cinema. www. nadi-fadina.com

The Happiness Illusion

The Happiness Illusion PDF Author: Luke Hockley
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1317579836
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 224

Get Book Here

Book Description
The West has never been more affluent yet the use of anti-depressants is on the increase to the extent that the World Health Organisation has declared it a major source of concern. How has this state of affairs come about and what can be done? Television and advertising media seem to know. Wherever we look they offer countless remedies for our current situation - unfortunately none of them seem to work. The Happiness Illusion explores how the metaphorical insights of fairy-tales have been literalised and turned into commodities. In so doing, their ability to educate and entertain has largely been lost. Instead advertising and television sell us products that offer to magically transform the way we look, how we age, where we live –both in the city and the countryside, the possibility of new jobs, and so forth. All of these are supposed to make us happy. But despite the allure of ‘retail therapy’ modern magic has lost its spell. What then are the sources of happiness in our contemporary society? Through a series of fairy-tales The Happiness Illusion: How the media sold us a fairytale looks at topics such as age, gender, marriage and rom-coms, Nordic Noir and the representations of therapy on television. In doing so it explores alternative ways to relate to the world in a symbolic and less literal manner – it suggests that happiness comes by making sure we don’t fall under the spell of the illusionary promises of contemporary television and advertising. Instead, happiness comes from being ourselves – warts and all. This book will be of interest to Jungian academics, film, media and cultural studies academics, social psychologists and their students, as well as reaching out to those interested in fairy-tale studies, psychotherapists and educated cinema goers. Luke Hockley PhD, is Research Professor of Media Analysis, at the University of Bedfordshire, UK. He is a practicing psychotherapist and is registered with the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP). Luke is joint Editor in Chief of the International Journal of Jungian Studies (IJJS) and a member of the Advisory Board for the journal Spring and lectures widely. www.lukehockley.com Nadi Fadina is a media entrepreneur and a managing partner in an international film fund. She is involved in a variety of arts and media related projects, both in profit and non-profit spheres. She teaches Film Business in the University of Bedfordshire, however, her academic interests outreach spheres of business and cover ideology, Russian fairytales, sexuality, politics, anthropology, and cinema. www. nadi-fadina.com

Solve for Happy

Solve for Happy PDF Author: Mo Gawdat
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1501157590
Category : Self-Help
Languages : en
Pages : 368

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Book Description
In this “powerful personal story woven with a rich analysis of what we all seek” (Sergey Brin, cofounder of Google), Mo Gawdat, Chief Business Officer at Google’s [X], applies his superior logic and problem solving skills to understand how the brain processes joy and sadness—and then he solves for happy. In 2001 Mo Gawdat realized that despite his incredible success, he was desperately unhappy. A lifelong learner, he attacked the problem as an engineer would: examining all the provable facts and scrupulously applying logic. Eventually, his countless hours of research and science proved successful, and he discovered the equation for permanent happiness. Thirteen years later, Mo’s algorithm would be put to the ultimate test. After the sudden death of his son, Ali, Mo and his family turned to his equation—and it saved them from despair. In dealing with the horrible loss, Mo found his mission: he would pull off the type of “moonshot” goal that he and his colleagues were always aiming for—he would share his equation with the world and help as many people as possible become happier. In Solve for Happy Mo questions some of the most fundamental aspects of our existence, shares the underlying reasons for suffering, and plots out a step-by-step process for achieving lifelong happiness and enduring contentment. He shows us how to view life through a clear lens, teaching us how to dispel the illusions that cloud our thinking; overcome the brain’s blind spots; and embrace five ultimate truths. No matter what obstacles we face, what burdens we bear, what trials we’ve experienced, we can all be content with our present situation and optimistic about the future.

Exploring Happiness

Exploring Happiness PDF Author: Sissela Bok
Publisher: Yale University Press
ISBN: 0300168438
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 309

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Book Description
Examines the nature of happiness, discussing how it has been treated in philosophy and religion and by the modern disciplines of psychology, economics, and neurocience, and considers the place of individual happiness within the context of modern life.

The Self Illusion

The Self Illusion PDF Author: Bruce Hood
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0199969892
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 368

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Book Description
Most of us believe that we are unique and coherent individuals, but are we? The idea of a "self" has existed ever since humans began to live in groups and become sociable. Those who embrace the self as an individual in the West, or a member of the group in the East, feel fulfilled and purposeful. This experience seems incredibly real but a wealth of recent scientific evidence reveals that this notion of the independent, coherent self is an illusion - it is not what it seems. Reality as we perceive it is not something that objectively exists, but something that our brains construct from moment to moment, interpreting, summarizing, and substituting information along the way. Like a science fiction movie, we are living in a matrix that is our mind. In The Self Illusion, Dr. Bruce Hood reveals how the self emerges during childhood and how the architecture of the developing brain enables us to become social animals dependent on each other. He explains that self is the product of our relationships and interactions with others, and it exists only in our brains. The author argues, however, that though the self is an illusion, it is one that humans cannot live without. But things are changing as our technology develops and shapes society. The social bonds and relationships that used to take time and effort to form are now undergoing a revolution as we start to put our self online. Social networking activities such as blogging, Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter threaten to change the way we behave. Social networking is fast becoming socialization on steroids. The speed and ease at which we can form alliances and relationships is outstripping the same selection processes that shaped our self prior to the internet era. This book ventures into unchartered territory to explain how the idea of the self will never be the same again in the online social world.

Stumbling on Happiness

Stumbling on Happiness PDF Author: Daniel Gilbert
Publisher: Vintage Canada
ISBN: 0307371360
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 336

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Book Description
A smart and funny book by a prominent Harvard psychologist, which uses groundbreaking research and (often hilarious) anecdotes to show us why we’re so lousy at predicting what will make us happy – and what we can do about it. Most of us spend our lives steering ourselves toward the best of all possible futures, only to find that tomorrow rarely turns out as we had expected. Why? As Harvard psychologist Daniel Gilbert explains, when people try to imagine what the future will hold, they make some basic and consistent mistakes. Just as memory plays tricks on us when we try to look backward in time, so does imagination play tricks when we try to look forward. Using cutting-edge research, much of it original, Gilbert shakes, cajoles, persuades, tricks and jokes us into accepting the fact that happiness is not really what or where we thought it was. Among the unexpected questions he poses: Why are conjoined twins no less happy than the general population? When you go out to eat, is it better to order your favourite dish every time, or to try something new? If Ingrid Bergman hadn’t gotten on the plane at the end of Casablanca, would she and Bogey have been better off? Smart, witty, accessible and laugh-out-loud funny, Stumbling on Happiness brilliantly describes all that science has to tell us about the uniquely human ability to envision the future, and how likely we are to enjoy it when we get there.

Awaken Your Authentic Self

Awaken Your Authentic Self PDF Author: Tony Fahkry
Publisher: Tony Fahkry
ISBN: 1945796405
Category : Self-Help
Languages : en
Pages : 238

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Book Description
What if I told you that complete acceptance of our identity is fundamental to our way of life, since every interaction emerges from our authentic self? The number one problem nowadays is the fact we have lost contact with our true identity. We subscribe to ideologies and beliefs regarding who we should be because we want to be accepted. This comes at a cost to our self-worth, since we give up an aspect of ourselves and lose our authenticity. Are you tired of not having your personal needs met? Do you want to live a better life but don't know how? My book will help you reconnect you with the core of your essential self. It is a move away from whom you should be, which is adopted by popular culture. My book invites you to reconnect with the deepest part of your being, which knows who you are and how you should live. * You have more power than you realise. * More genius than you can imagine. * More wisdom and knowledge than you can ever access. * When you let go of the false belief that you are lacking or inadequate, in that moment, you arouse your potential. This is not a patronising statement to seduce you into a false belief. You have unlimited power, and accessing that power is the basis of my book 'Awaken Your Authentic Self.' My name is Tony Fahkry. I am a three-time author, expert speaker and life coach for over 15 years. I believe everyone has great potential within them. It is a matter of awakening it to reach your most efficient level. By focusing on what is meaningful to you, my book will bring value to your life by helping you think clearly and make decisions in alignment with who you are. My book will help you discover your genius, talents and gifts and awakening your highest potential. If you are ready to break free from your limited beliefs, thoughts, and ideas of the world, I invite you to purchase your copy of 'Awaken Your Authentic Self' today, so you can experience the results I speak of. Unless you challenge the status quo, you will remain one of the masses. One has only to look to mainstream culture to see the effects the media and marketing hype have on our society. Don't become of the masses. You have so much potential within you waiting to come alive. Believe that you are worthy and capable of great things and it will become your reality. Awaken Your Authentic Self is endorsed by the international acclaimed spiritual author and silver prize winner of the Nautilus award, Dennis Merritt Jones, who wrote the foreword.

Illusions of Happiness

Illusions of Happiness PDF Author: Elizabeth Lord
Publisher: Severn House Pub Limited
ISBN: 9780727896292
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 349

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Book Description
Madeleine, returning home from Swiss finishing school, falls for a milkman instead of the wealthy man her parents intend, and her choice leaves her friendless and homeless.

The Mindfulness Edge

The Mindfulness Edge PDF Author: Matt Tenney
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1119183243
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 288

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Book Description
The one habit that can improve almost every leadership skill There is a simple practice that can improve nearly every component of leadership excellence and it doesn't require adding anything to your busy schedule. In The Mindfulness Edge, you'll discover how a subtle inner shift, called mindfulness, can transform things that you already do every day into opportunities to become a better leader. Author Matt Tenney has trained leaders around the world in the practice of mindfulness. In this book, he partners with neuroscientist Tim Gard, PhD, to offer step-by-step, practical guidance for quickly and seamlessly integrating mindfulness training into your daily life—rewiring your brain in ways that improve both the ‘hard' and ‘soft' skills of leadership. In this book, you'll learn how mindfulness training helps you: Quickly improve business acumen and your impact on the bottom line Become more innovative and attract/retain innovative team members Develop the emotional intelligence essential for creating and sustaining a winning culture Realize the extraordinary leadership presence that inspires greatness in others The authors make a compelling case for why mindfulness training may be the 'ultimate success habit.' In addition to helping you improve the most essential elements of highly effective leadership, mindfulness training can help you discover unconditional happiness and realize incredible meaning—professionally and personally.

Truth Vs Illusion

Truth Vs Illusion PDF Author: Joy Xiaomin Su
Publisher: Balboa Press
ISBN: 150435088X
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
Languages : en
Pages : 159

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Book Description
If you have ever asked yourself these questions, this is the book for you. What is the meaning of life? Why do people suffer? What is in control of my life? Why is life the way it is? How can I stop suffering and be happy? How can I have a successful life? How can I have a life I like to have? How can I be the person I like to be? How can I be wiser and smarter? How can I have good and harmonious relations with others? Why do people meditate to achieve enlightenment? What is the true meaning of spiritual practice? Why all beings are one?

Be Happy Now!

Be Happy Now! PDF Author: Alison Lanza Falls
Publisher: Balboa Press
ISBN: 1504384172
Category : Self-Help
Languages : en
Pages : 230

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Book Description
On September 11, 2001, Alison Lanza Falls had a great career as a Wall Street banker, a caring and supportive family, and an enormous secret. She was silently and profoundly unhappy. Nine years after watching smoke billow from the World Trade Center where she was heading for a meeting, Alison began an incredible journey of personal transformation, with guidance from David Prudhomme, mind coach and founder of Mederi Wellness. While chronicling the evolution of her remarkable life, Alison shares her unique experiences and important life lessons using Prudhommes framework, The Best Me NOW!, that guided her through an experiential process on how to choose emotions, let go and feel free, practice forgiveness, release deep-seated fears, love herself and others unconditionally, and accept and embrace her uniqueness. Alisons story reveals simple, practical lessons for anyone interested in improving self-talk, applying universal truths in a professional setting, and preparing the mind for excellence, proving that positive change is not only possible, but also that it follows a specific path of perception, awareness, and choice. Be Happy NOW! combines two unique voices to share an inspiring story of transformation and life lessons intended to guide others on how to attain authentic happiness and a true understanding of self.